If you are making a list of the most successful and richest tennis player in the world, there are some names that cannot be skipped. Although the game of tennis is highly a lucrative sport with global attractiveness, it is only players who are talented and lucky enough to become the elite that earn millions of dollars in their careers. We have seen a lot of great tennis players come and go over the years.
However, when it comes to who is the richest amongst them, you’d discover that to be the less popular ones. Richest tennis stars in the world, like other sports, make an incredible amount of money either by winning tournaments or through endorsements. That notwithstanding, players who have friendly personalities also tend to get the best deals. Here, we have made a list of the richest tennis players making waves in the world right now.
10. John McEnroe
Net Worth: $100 million
Retired but not tired, John McEnroe garnered huge fame through his shot-making artistry and volleying skills. Born in New York City, US in February 1959, the tennis veteran began his pro career in 1978 and was active for 28 years before his retirement in 2006.
During his active career years, John won 8 singles and 7 doubles titles as well as 7 Grand Slam singles, 4 US Open titles, and 3 Wimbledon titles. He earned the ATP Player of the Year and ITF World Champion three times (1981, 1983, and 1984). Since his retirement in 2006, the former World No. 1 has been seen working as a TV commentator during majors. Throughout his over two-decade stint as a tennis superstar, John McEnroe was able to accumulate an estimated net worth of $100 million.
9. Andy Murray
Net Worth: $100 million
Andy Murray is one of the most successful British pro-tennis players. Born on the 15th day of May 1987, his pro career began in earnest in 2005. With a career spanning over a decade, Murray has clinched 3 Grand Slam titles, 2 two Olympic gold medals, and a Davis Cup.
He made history in 2012 by becoming the first British player since 1936 to clinch the Grand Slam title after his triumph over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final. More so, he has made a lot of money through adverts and other business endeavors. Notably, Murray has signed lucrative endorsement deals with companies such as Under Armour, Adidas, and Royal Bank of Scotland, among others. That said, Andy Murray currently has a net worth of $100 million.
8. Maria Sharapova
Net Worth: $135 million
Maria Sharapova is no doubt one of the few women who have made a huge impact in the world of tennis. Born Maria Yuryevna Sharapova on the 19th day of April 1987, the Russian pro-tennis player has garnered fame as one of the few to have achieved the career Grand Slam as well as being one of the highest-paid female athletes of all time. Currently, ranked as the third most active player, the female tennis prodigy became a pro in 2001.
Although she has been plagued by injuries, Maria has so far clinched 5 Grand Slam titles and two French Open titles. She also has 36 singles titles, one Australian Open, and a Wimbledon title under her belt. That’s not all, she is a 2012 Olympic medalist. Asides tennis, Sharapova is also a businesswoman and a model; she has signed endorsement deals with popular brands such as Canon, Nike, and Prince, among many others. All these and more have contributed to her net worth of $135 million.
7. Pete Sampras
Net Worth: $150 million
The American former tennis player Pete Sampras otherwise known as Pistol Pete is renowned for his single-handed backhand as well as precise and powerful service. Born on the 12th of August 1971, Pete Sampras went pro in 1988 and is career lasted for 14 years, during which he won 14 Grand Slam titles, 7 Wimbledon titles, 5 US Open titles, and 2 Australian Open titles.
Peter Sampras earned a great deal from endorsements and prize money which has contributed to his whopping net worth of $150 million. He became World No. 1 in 1993 and he maintained a six-year consecutive year-end No. 1 ranking until 1998. He played his last match in September 2002 and in August of 2003, he announced his official retirement. After his retirement, Sampras was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame five years later in 2007.
6. Andre Agassi
Net Worth: $175 million
Andre Agassi is a retired American tennis champion and a former World No.1. Born on the 29th day of April in Las Vegas Nevada, Andre kicked off his professional career in 1986 and after two decades, he bowed out of the game in 2006. During his professional career, Andre won 8 Grand Slam singles and 4 Australian Open titles.
More so, the tennis veteran is one of the eight players to achieve the Career Grand Slam in the Open Era as well as one of two (with the other being Rafael Nadal) to win the Career Golden Slam. Agassi is also a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist. Although he was having a burgeoning career, he was forced to retire in September 2006 after suffering from sciatica which was caused by two bulging discs in his back. He is currently among the richest tennis players in the world with a net worth of $175 million.
5. Serena Williams
Net Worth: $180 million
The Williams’ sisters won’t easily be forgotten as far as the world of tennis is concerned. Although the duo has made a great impact on women’s tennis, Serena Williams is still the more successful of the two sisters. With a career that has been running for over two decades, Serena has been able to accumulate an estimated net worth of $180 million through endorsements and prize money.
Starting her career in 1995, the former World No. 1 tennis star has won 23 Grand Slam singles, making her the most Grand Slam tournament winner in the Open Era. She also won 14 Grand Slam double titles along with her sister Venus. Additionally, she is also a four-time Olympic gold medalist along with her sister.
4. Rafael Nadal
Net Worth: $180 million
The Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has built quite a reputation for himself following his wonderful performances on the clay court. He has equally had a fair share of victories on other surfaces. Currently ranked as World No. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals, Nadal clinched 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 12 French Open titles, 3 US Open titles, 2 Wimbledon titles, and one Australian Open title.
Additionally, he was honored with a Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in 2011. More so, at the age of 24 in 2010, Nadal became one of the eight players to achieve the Career Grand Slam and one of two to achieve the Career Golden Slam (with the other being Andre Agassi). He also holds the record for the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era.
For a career that has spanned over 16 years, Rafael Nadal has been able to amass a decent net worth of $180 million.
3. Novak Djokovic
Net Worth: $200 million
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian pro-tennis player currently occupying the No. 1 position on the Association of Tennis Professionals World Ranking. The star player is regarded as the single best active male tennis player in the world and one of the greatest players of all time. Also, he is one of the eight men to have achieved a career Grand Slam; Djokovic turned into pro in 2003.
Since then, he has won a total of 16 Grand Slam singles titles, 7 Australian Open titles, 5 Wimbledon titles, 3 US Open titles, and one French Open. He is also renowned for being the first male player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title. Novak has equally got several awards including 4 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year and one BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award. Others are Order of St. Sava, the order of the Republika Srpska, and the Order of Karadorde’s Star, etc.
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2. Roger Federer
Net Worth: $450 Million
Undoubtedly one of the best tennis players of all time, Roger Federer is also one of the richest tennis players in the world with a whopping net worth of $450 million US dollars. The Swiss professional tennis player is currently ranked World No. 3 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
The star player was born on the 8th day of August 1981 and his birth took place in Basel Switzerland. He started playing tennis from a very young age and since he turned pro in 1998, he has gone on to clinch 20 Grand Slam singles titles, 8 Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles, six Australian Open titles, and a French Open title.
In addition to this, Federer has been highly acclaimed for his exceptional pattern of play as well as his shot-making and footwork. More so, he has won 13 Sportsmanship Awards, one ATP Player of the Year Award, 5 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Awards, and 4 BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Awards, among others.
1. Ion Tiriac
Net Worth: $2 Billion
Although not many people know him, Ion Tiriac made strides during his active days as a tennis player. The Romanian tennis veteran and business magnate is regarded as the richest tennis player of all time with a net worth of $2 billion US dollars. Ion Tiriac kicked off his professional career in 1968 and during his decade-long career, he won several tournaments. Amazingly, he also excelled in Ice Hockey at some point in his career. Soon after his retirement in 1979, the superstar made his way into the world of business.
In addition to his tennis career, Ion is also a coach and player agent. Notably, he has managed popular tennis players including Boris Becker, Manuel Orantes, Ilie Nastase, and Adriano Panatta, among others. Currently, he serves as the president of the Romanian Tennis Federation. And since 2016, he has been managing the French tennis player Lucas Pouille. For his unparalleled contributions, Ion was a 2013 inductee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
